Tree architecture as a result of its development in response to the environment:

solar radiation

Abstract

Solar radiation is the most important factor in plant productivity and growth, influencing biomass accumulation, determining their architecture and perpetuating the species. Plants make morphophysiological adjustments to allow efficient use of radiant energy and at the same time avoid damage due to excessive exposure. The environment in which living beings grow and develop is essential to regulate their responses in order to achieve a better adjustment in their exchange relationships. Thus, understanding the responses of plants to the light environment is important in the development of more complex intercropping systems, such as agroforestry systems. This is essential both for the establishment and perpetuation of these projects and for achieving the goals of the plantations – production, commercialization, restoration, etc. Thus, this study aimed to identify the radiative environment in which the studied species presented a more desirable architecture for their future timber use. Thus, the responses of two native Brazilian species with timber potential were verified: 1. araribá (Centrolobium tomentosum Guillem. Ex Bentham, 1840) and, 2. Brazilian mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King, 1886) when subjected to four treatments with contrasting environments: 1) Full Sun (PS); 2) Red Shade 35% (SV35%); 3) Black Shade 35% (SP35%) and; 4) Natural Shade in Forest (SNM). The environments with intermediate shade (46.6 and 62.2% solar radiation - SV35% and SP35% - provided greater dry mass accumulation, more suitable architecture for future timber use and greater growth for both species.